Northeastern residents urged to continue working with security agencies to rid Al Shabaab

Former North Eastern Regional Commissioner, Mohamud Saleh  has called on Northeastern residents to continue working closely with security agencies just as they have done while he was in office.(Courtesy)

GARISSA—Former North Eastern Regional Commissioner, Mohamud Saleh has called on Northeastern residents to continue working closely with security agencies just as they have done while he was in office.

Speaking to the press in, the outgoing regional commissioner after winding up his tour of Wajir county last week said it should not matter who was at the position of the Regional Commissioner’s office ‘so long as Wananchi volunteer information to the relevant authorities on suspicious elements among them’.

He wants to ensure that gains made in the fight against the Somali based Al-Shabaab terror group are not lost.

“I want to thank those who assisted me and my security team in bringing down Al-Shabaab capability of striking at will. Together we managed the terror attacks apart from small pockets along the border,” Saleh said.

“Let us give the incoming Regional Commissioner, Mohamed Birik the cooperation you extended to me. It is my wish and prayer that we get rid of Al-Shabaab completely from the region. It’s possible and doable,” he added.

Saleh who was speaking for the first time about his redeployment to office of the President, owed his success to the cooperation between his office and the residents.

The transfer of Mohamud Saleh as Northeastern regional coordinator has elicited mixed reactions from residents with some saying his experience and result oriented approach will be missed.

He is credited with the reduction of raids in the region which had suffered some of the worst terror attacks in the country.

Last week Saleh led top security officials and local leadership in delivering the much anticipated government position on the prolonged Eldas-Buna boundary dispute. His report was welcomed and will be implemented by the government.

Those in support of the transfer, say that Birik’s entrance will inject fresh blood needed to take the region a step further in terms of peace and development.

Lafey MP Abdi Ibrahim praised the reshuffle, saying it allowed one of their own to head the region. as Birik comes from Lafey constituency in Mandera county.

“We want to thank the President and his deputy for considering Birik for the post. We’re sure he is up to the task and will not let them down,” the MP said.